This blog is dedicated to caring and caregiving. We are a forum for a broad spectrum of issues concerning physical and emotional health, aging, medical care, and spiritual well-being. Discussions are welcome for all topics that involve caring and caregiving.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The following post is taken from a press release prepared by The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation which announced it is moving forward with an online campaign to help fund new discoveries into Alzheimer’s disease:

The campaign, titled, “Turn Up the Heat on Alzheimer’s” has a set goal to raise funds and awareness for Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard’s research laboratory in The Rockefeller University, during summer 2009 to help fund Alzheimer’s disease research. This fundraising campaign initiative is being headed by Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation’s President and CEO, Kent Karosen.

“The scientists we fund under the direction of Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard are on the brink of exciting new discoveries. Dr. Greengard has authored almost 1,000 scientific publications. And when he gets excited about a new discovery – so do we. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. It robs it victims of their memories in what should be the golden years of their life. The time to act is now,” says Mr. Karosen.

Mr. Karosen has pledged that every dollar raised during the campaign will go directly to Alzheimer’s research.

The “Turn Up the Heat on Alzheimer’s” campaign is a nation-wide Alzheimer’s disease fundraiser reaching out to residents, companies, associations, and the online social network community to pledge their financial support. Opportunities to give to the campaign are available through the website: www.ALZinfo.org/team. Fundraiser’s can upload their own photos, personal message, and set their goal amounts. Users of Facebook Causes and MySpace will be able to add donation badges to their profiles. Preserving Your Memory: The Magazine of Health and Hope will feature the top fundraiser in their fall 2009 issue.

About the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation:

The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation is a leading source of funding for Alzheimer’s research. It serves Alzheimer’s patients and their families to understand the causes of Alzheimer’s, to discover a cure, and to improve the lives of people with the disease. Nobel laureate Dr. Paul Greengard directs the Foundation’s team of internationally renowned scientists, who have been at the forefront of research providing the conceptual framework for understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Information about the Foundation is available at www.ALZinfo.org

For more information about the “Turn Up the Heat on Alzheimer’s” Campaign through the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation and www.ALZinfo.org, please contact Betsey Odell, Vice President for Development, at 646-381-5148 and betsey@alzinfo.org

Monday, June 15, 2009

I just came across a new book called "Take Your Oxygen First" that I think will be helpful to caregivers. It is co-authored by Leeza Gibbons, James Huysman, and Rosemary DeAngelis Laird.

The press release states that the book: "contains timely medical and scientific information about memory loss disorders, provides practical information and advice for caregivers and shares the experiences of families of caregivers across the country."

The bible of practical information for dementia caregivers is, of course, "The 36 Hour Day," by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins. "Take Your Oxygen First" is a good supplement to the Mace/Rabins book but cannot be a substitute for it.

You probably need both in your library, next to your dogeared copy of "Dementia Diary" by yours truly :-)